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Citroen C3 gearbox problem

Hi All

Is there anyone with Citroen C3 gearbox problems? Why is Citroen services and spares so overprized? I really enjoy my C3 until it comes to services and spares. This morning my C3 had to be towed in due to a gearbox problem... The shifting fork has broken!!! Is this possible? What caused this? Please anybody with answers - HELP!!! My C3 is just - but just - out of her warranty.... Ummmm Murphy isn't it?!

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

Hi Conniff,

I realized the Citroen dealers are expensive and took my C3 to gearbox specialist..... I paid one third of the Citroen dealer's quote... Amazing isnt it!! They also replaced the broken part with a new one and the whole job plus parts were less than I was quoted for the part only at Citroen

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

Little things that you might not notice you are doing could put strain on the fork and in the long term cause damage. Not pressing far enough on the clutch pedal so the clutch is not thrown fully out, moving from one gear to another too fast ie; snatching the lever, will all put a strain on the fork, the clutch being out of adjustment so it is not throwing out completely. Just little things that can make a big difference.

Make sure you leg still has some bend on it at the knee and is not straight when you have the clutch fully depressed, take your time going from one gear to the next, give the gears time to slow.
Then, of course, there could be a manufacturing cause ie; a problem with the forging or machining.

There are a few reason and you will probably never find the true cause, but you can eliminate the first few by consciously looking at what you do when driving and make a few adjustments if necessary.

If you should purchase a new car at some time in the future, it is always worth looking at other garages for your servicing etc; it will not affect the warranty should you have to take it back to the dealer if something goes wrong and can save a small fortune.

I'm please you have it all sorted.

P.S. They probably would have taken it to the same gearbox specialist as you did and got the job done cheaper than you paid because it is trade and then charged you full whack.

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

Thank you very much for your input.... I am a lady driver and I am not always aware of small things I might do wrong. I truly think I do not press my clutch pedal far enough. I have noticed this previously from time to time, but did not realise it will affect the engine...ooops.. well, this cost me know a penny and a half Thank you very much for you help. It will surely safe a buck or two in future.

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

Yes Conniff, and that's why my pregnant burd sold her beloved Nissan and bought an XPic. C3 driver, it may also help you to know that gears should be "led in" and not flicked quickly when changing. when i went for my lorry lessons, the instructor said to let gear lever stop for a fraction of a second between gears---ok if your not trying to get away from a Scaniaman!!!!!lol lol .

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

when i went for my lorry lessons, the instructor said to let gear lever stop for a fraction of a second between gears---ok if your not trying to get away from a Scaniaman!!!!!lol lol .

When I went for my lorry lessons back in the seventies, you had to lift the clutch and press it back down between gears. If you didn't double de-clutch those old lorries up and down the box, much gear grating greeted your earholes. You youngsters are spoiled with lorries with syncromesh these days! Us old timers only had "crash boxes", eeh luxury, you dooont know yor booorn (I suppose you've got a heater in the cab too?)

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

Can you find out what the gearbox type is and give the engine you have.

I have had a similar problem with my Saxo. Though my box has the mileage of the starship enterprise. Essentialy, there are indications that the bearings are a known problem. Warning signs are whislting, hard selection of gears. It would be highly unlikely that the failure is due to a clutch issue by the very nature of it's mechanism. The clutch disengages the drive from the engine to the box and unless there was something seriously wrong which would have made itself apparent much earlier then it is highly unlikely to be a clutch issue.
As also the feeding in suggestions. This is a relatively modern box with synchro rings that should cope. Unless there is design or manufacturing flaw the box should perform faultlessly for at least 150K miles with heavy abuse. My feeling is that the bearings have given way somehow which I think is a design fault.
If you think about it, it's just about spot on engineering perfection.

Produce something that performs faultlesly with a given time scale at the cheapest cost. Engineers have done their well in conjunction with the specs laid out but believe me, it doesn't go down well with consumers!!

My advice as out of warranty is to,
1. If full dealer service history is to ask for goodwill contribution from ****roen.
2. Get the box overhauled.

Target price for a good overhaul will be £350 plus VAT plus labour and a new clutch.

Also ask them to look at the change mechanism joints, they wear very quickly and insist that if the change mechanism is of the horizontal type into the box that the pin is also replaced, otherwise you will get stuck in 1st or second, third or fourth, or worst case 5th. They are renowned for this and has happened to me.

If it softens the blow or helps, my starship is in for a box rebuild this week in fact.

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

another main reason for the selector forks to go is resting your hand on the gear stick. i have known a few citroen boxes to do the input shaft bearing(above) particularly the vtr's. had to do one that had clocked over 42k on an 03 plate!

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

For thos who dont know im a qualified mechanic and i replaced one of these on a c1 the other week had to take gearbox out to do it! Very poor design im suprised there has not been a recall on them yet as citroen told me when i rang for price on the part ''we sell a lot of these''! The new one we got looked flimsier than the one i took off!

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

Originally Posted by miket368

For thos who dont know im a qualified mechanic and i replaced one of these on a c1 the other week had to take gearbox out to do it! Very poor design im suprised there has not been a recall on them yet as citroen told me when i rang for price on the part ''we sell a lot of these''! The new one we got looked flimsier than the one i took off!

Hi Miket368
I have just got my C3 in the garage as it was making a lot of noise on start up & sometimes slipped out of gear. Anyway i got a call saying it was the bearings but have exploded making a mess of the inside of the gearbox. I was told he was on the hunt for a used/cheaper alternative than a new one. I have just had a call saying they found someone with a gearbox & gears as mine was damaged. I had a few options either to repair what they could & put back in which would have a loud noise then sell it on. The second to get the parts most needed but was at a lower ratio gears so 5th would be like a 4th gear at a cost of £950 with a clutch all in or a new gearbox costing £1500 but around £2000 to put in. So i had only one option but to say go ahead with the £950 option. If i knew what was wrong i might have gone with a gearbox place but i didn't know or better still if i could have had a mate like you living near by. This is my first diesel car & first car since my last one 2 years ago. It has come to be a very expensive buy. Well that's my winge over

Re: Citroen C3 gearbox problem

Originally Posted by Conniff

Welcome jandy. Perhaps now you have reopened this 4 year old thread, he might come back and tell us how he got on.

Hi conniff
Thanks.......... I know it was an old thread but better than no thread at all eh! If we comment more it will help us all in problems in life i guess! I have found a few other forums too but only joined this one!